What is the mission of your association?
“Vita da Cani” was founded in ’92 and it initially focused on addressing stray animal issues. Over time, our mission has broadened significantly. We now champion the life, care, and freedom of all animals, advocating against confinement, abuse, and exploitation. Our approach is twofold: on the one hand, we take care of reception and rescue of animals that come to us either because they have freed themselves from exploitation situations, or because we have followed their stories and managed to bring them to safety. We host more than 500 animals in our facilities. However, we cannot change the world by rescuing all animals alone; hence, another aspect of our work is to communicate and promote awareness and training initiatives. Our keywords are empathy and kindness. We believe empathy is a powerful engine of transformation that can change the world. By creating environments where humans and animals can connect, we aim to cultivate empathy — a powerful force for global change. Vita da Cani collaborates with many entities with similar goals; we lead the “Network of Free Animal Sanctuaries in Italy,” that includes several centers, associations, and shelters. We do not consider ourselves a large institutional entity; we ask people to join us in the battles we fight both in direct animal care and in trying to change the world.
Why is it important to act with the goal of raising awareness about animal rights, and how has the situation changed in recent years?
Over the years, sensitivity towards animals has grown, initially focusing on pets and gradually extending to all other living beings sharing this planet with us. It is crucial to continually strive to liberate our minds from conditioning and the mental cages that convince us the world must remain as it is. Such conditioning leads us to believe, for example, that a dog on a chain requires immediate reporting, while seeing a livestock truck is normalized and deemed unworthy of intervention. It requires a persistent effort to alter our reality to address numerous aspects and issues that have been overlooked. The first step is information. The internet, investigations, and films have created cracks in the formidable wall that permits the peaceful exploitation of animals. We, as humans, are consuming all the Earth’s resources and exploiting other beings; it is imperative that we critique ourselves and reassess our actions in this world. Through our initiatives that involve direct interactions with animals, respecting their freedom, we aim to foster change, to understand other species better, and to dismantle paradigms rooted in ignorance.
What are the goals, and what does the “Different Species for One Planet” project entail?
We are a small association with grand ambitions. Despite our size, we’ve always found a way to persevere and tackle tasks with determination, achieving much with modest means. The support from SGI-Italy is crucial for us. Our project encompasses the expansion and restructuring of our facilities, including the establishment of an infirmary. We care for a community of birds, and we’re enhancing the facility dedicated to their rehabilitation, aiming for their eventual release back into the wild. Another key element of our project is to improve our communication strategies and refine our educational initiatives. This involves not only internal training for our staff but also vital external training sessions open to the public. Vitadacani welcomes activists, volunteers, and the general public, including those from other organizations, to learn from our experience. Our objective is to engage the entire local community, raising awareness about environmental degradation and the climate crisis, and to discover direct methods of intervention for change, empowering individuals to become agents of this change. This is our shared goal.
Animal defense associations are few in number, with many still in their pioneering phases. What do you think is important to strengthen?
The key lies in transcending the constant state of emergency. Organizations dedicated to animal welfare often find themselves moving from one crisis to the next. While addressing these emergencies is crucial for the immediate well-being of the animals they help, it’s equally important to focus on strategic efforts that can significantly alter the current situation and minimize future emergencies. The challenge is compounded by limited funding and human resources, which are continually drained by these crises. Leaders of animal protection organizations must have a solid understanding of their operational needs and actively seek the necessary resources. Opening a shelter is a commitment to the animals, implying a promise that it will remain open. Therefore, acquiring proper training, developing organizational skills, and securing funding are paramount. Regrettably, financial support is scarce, exacerbated by the lack of governmental contributions to animal welfare, a sector historically overlooked due to animals being considered merely as food sources.
You have been involved in protecting animal rights for many years. How did this passion begin? What would you recommend to someone looking to contribute, even through seemingly small actions in their everyday life?
My family instilled in me the values of justice, critical thinking, and the belief that everyone can make a difference. Growing up with dogs and cats, I always considered them part of the family, particularly forming a deep bond with one of my first dogs, which led me to question certain practices. At thirteen, I decided overnight to become a vegetarian, refusing to eat animals. During my formative years, my parents consulted a nutritionist for me. Eventually, I adopted veganism. I’ve always been very determined. The first association I was part of almost started as a game with three high school friends; we had no money but managed to work on calls for proposals and some European projects that eventually trusted us. Regarding the contributions we can each make, I would advise people to begin by interacting with animals with respect, friendship, and not through hierarchical dynamics. Undoubtedly, the first step is to choose not to eat them. I always recommend volunteering at a shelter or joining a community that inspires you. We serve as a site for the universal civil service, both Italian and European. Currently, we host eight young people, some of whom remain to work with us after their service period. In this era marked by violence and wars, there is also a significant potential for transformation. Taking action instills hope. We believe that even in the most dire situations, there is always a glimmer of hope.